Weighted Apparatus for an Article of Clothing

ABSTRACT

A weighted apparatus for use with a dress, skirt, blouse or other article of clothing to prevent the wind or other moving air from raising a lower end of the clothing. The weighted apparatus has a first member comprising a metal plate positioned against the outer surface of the lower end of the clothing and a second member comprising one or more magnets positioned against the inner surface of the clothing to magnetically engage the metal plate with the clothing between the first and second members. The first member is coated, covered or otherwise configured in corresponding or contrasting relation to the outer surface of the clothing. The first member can have a cover material with a pattern that matches, compliments or contrasts with the clothing. The first member can have a decorative item with a design. The second member can have a base plate that supports the magnets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGAPPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to accessories utilized with anarticle of clothing. In particular, the present invention relates todevices and apparatuses used with a dress, skirt or like article ofclothing to substantially reduce the likelihood that the article ofclothing will be lifted by a gust of wind or other source of moving air.Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such devicesand apparatuses that removably attach to the article of clothing.

B. Background

Dresses, skirts and like articles of clothing are popular attire forgirls and women of all ages and for a wide variety of differentoccasions. For instance, many girls and young women will wear a dress orskirt to school and many other functions. Girls and women of all ageswear dresses, skirts and like articles of clothing to the store, church,shopping and for many other activities. Women frequently wear a dress orskirt to work and a variety of formal or informal social functions. Onecommon problem with wearing a dress or skirt is that the wind or othermoving sources of air, such as fans, steam vents or the like, can causethe lower end of the dress or skirt to blow or raise generally upward.If the moving air is of sufficient strength and/or duration, it canraise the lower end of the dress or skirt high enough to expose muchmore than what the wearer intends to be seen by others, including theupper leg area and undergarments. Naturally, this can be quiteembarrassing for the female, particularly in a professional setting orfor a public person. The problem of clothing blowing up is made muchworse by many of the lightweight, wispy materials that are commonly usedfor modern dresses, skirts and like articles of clothing.

Many girls and women have attempted to adapt their dress or skirtwearing to windy conditions by holding the lower end of the dress/skirtdown with their hands and arms as they walk or stand outside.Alternatively, they may choose to wear pants or shorts on windy days toavoid the potential problems with wearing a dress or skirt. Several wellknown limitations exist with regard to utilizing the hands/arms toprevent an embarrassing moment resulting from the lower end of a dress,skirt or like article of clothing from blowing upward. One suchlimitation is that the female may be caught off-guard by a sudden gustof wind or moving air from a source, such as a fan, duct, vent or thelike, that is of sufficient strength to raise the lower end of herclothing and expose what was not intended to be generally seen. Anotherwell known limitation is that the female cannot easily and/oreffectively utilize her hands or arms to prevent the lower end of theclothing from raising due to wind or a sudden gust of air if she iscarrying objects, such as a briefcase, books, coffee, soda or the like,in one or more of her hands. Attempts to prevent the clothing fromlifting up due to the moving air can result in the girl or womandropping the object, which can cause damage to the object or spillliquid or food on her body or clothing. If the object is hot coffee, thespilling of the coffee onto an exposed part of the body can be quitepainful.

The problem with wind or other sources of moving air raising up thelower end of an article of clothing has been known for many years andnumerous attempted solutions have been provided to reduce or eliminatethis problem. For instance, in the pioneer days women used to sew rocksor small stones into the hem of their dresses to weight the lower end ofthe dress down. Other materials, including BBs and shot, have beenutilized in this same manner. One obvious problem with such a solutionis that it requires the wearer to open the hem of the dress, insert theweighted material and then sew up the hem with the material inside.Naturally, to be effective at keeping all sides of the clothing fromraising up, the wearer must do this at several areas around the lowerend of the dress and, at least to a certain extent, isolate the weightedmaterials in the area where it is placed. Another problem, is that thissolution must be independently applied to each such article of clothing,as the weighted material cannot be easily moved from one article ofclothing to another.

Another attempted solution to the problem of moving air raising up thelower end of an article of clothing is a wind maintenance device forclothing known as the Averter. This product comprises a weighted objectthat is attached to the inside of the clothing utilizing hook and loopmaterial, such as Velcro®. One half of the hook and loop material has anadhesive on its backside that allows it to be stuck to the article ofclothing. The other half of the hook and loop material has a weightedcomponent that is on or attached to its backside. The two pieces of thehook and loop material are joined to provide a weighted area that, withother weighted areas around the lower end of the clothing, will resistthe wind or other source of air raising the lower end of the clothingembarrassingly upward. One apparent limitation to this product is thatit must be stuck to the article of clothing. Depending on the fabric forthe clothing, many women will not want to stick any adhesive substanceagainst the fabric that could possibly tear or otherwise damage theclothing, particularly because the adhesive must be strong enough toprevent the product from falling off the clothing due to the weightedportion thereof. In addition, reuse of the product from one article ofclothing to another may be somewhat difficult to achieve withoutreplacing the adhesive or using a new adhesive portion of the hook andloop material. This issue may also be a problem when the user wants towear the article of clothing after it has been washed or dry cleaned.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved apparatus for weighting downan article of clothing to prevent the lower end thereof from raisingupward due to wind or other sources of moving air. The preferredapparatus should be adaptable to a wide variety of clothing, includingdresses, skirts, blouses and the like and effectively weigh down thelower end thereof to prevent it from raising embarrassingly upward.Preferably, the user should be able to be easily install the apparatuson an article of clothing and remove it from the clothing for washingthe clothing and/or moving the apparatus from one article of clothing toanother. The preferred apparatus should be configured so as to notutilize any adhesive or like material which has to stick to or otherwisechemically bond with the fabric such that it could possibly damage thearticle of clothing. The apparatus should be adaptable to beingconfigured to be generally inconspicuous on an article of clothing orcompliment the clothing, as desired, and be relatively inexpensive tomanufacture so that it may be widely utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The weighted apparatus for an article of clothing of the presentinvention provides the benefits and solves the problems identifiedabove. That is to say, the present invention discloses an improvedapparatus for weighing down the lower end of an article of clothing toprevent the clothing from being raised embarrassingly upward due to windor other source of moving air. In a preferred embodiment, the weightedapparatus of the present invention is easily adaptable to a wide varietyof dresses, skirts, blouses and other articles of clothing so as toprevent the lower end thereof from raising embarrassingly upward due towind or other moving air. In its preferred configuration, the weightedapparatus is easy to install on an article of clothing and to removefrom the clothing when the user desires to clean the clothing and/ormove the apparatus to another article of clothing. The weightedapparatus of the present invention does not utilize any adhesive orother material that chemically bonds with the fabric and is configurednot to otherwise damage the clothing. In one embodiment, the weightedapparatus is configured to substantially match or compliment an articleof clothing. In its preferred configuration, the weighted apparatus isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture so that it may be widely utilized.

In a primary embodiment of the present invention, the weighted apparatusgenerally comprises a first member that is positioned on the outsidesurface of an article of clothing and a second member that is positionedon the inside surface of the clothing, with the second membermagnetically attracted to the first member so as to secure the weightedapparatus in place and weigh down the lower end of the clothing toprevent it from being raised embarrassingly upward. In a preferredembodiment, the first member has a metal outer plate with an inwardlydisposed surface that is placed in abutting relation with an outersurface of the article of clothing and an outwardly disposed surfacethat faces away from the outer surface of the article of clothing andthe second member has a base member with an inwardly disposed surfaceconfigured to be placed in abutting relation with an inner surface ofthe article of clothing, an outwardly disposed surface facing away fromthe inner surface of the article of clothing and one or more magnetssupported by the base member. The magnets are configured to magneticallyengage the metal outer plate of the first member to secure the weightedapparatus on the article of clothing with the lower end of the articleof clothing sandwiched between the first member and the second member.The first and second members are cooperatively configured to providesufficient weight to prevent the wind or other moving air fromsubstantially raising the lower end of the article of clothing. In oneembodiment, the outwardly disposed surface of the outer plate ispainted, coated or otherwise treated to be in corresponding relation tothe outer surface of the article of clothing at the lower end thereof.In another embodiment, the outwardly disposed surface of the outer plateis in contrasting relation to the outer surface of the article ofclothing at the lower end thereof. In yet another embodiment, a covermaterial is attached to, wrapped around or substantially envelops theouter plate of the first member, with the cover material having apattern that is in corresponding or contrasting relation to the outersurface of the article of clothing at the lower end thereof. If desired,the first member can alternatively or additionally comprise a decorativeitem having a design that compliments the article of clothing. Ifdesired, the second member can be just a magnet, thereby eliminating theneed for the base member.

Accordingly, the primary aspect of the present invention is to provide aweighted apparatus for an article of clothing that has the advantagesdiscussed above and which overcomes the disadvantages and limitationsassociated with prior art apparatuses and devices for weighing down thelower end of an article of clothing.

It is an important aspect of the present invention to provide a weightedapparatus that can be removably placed on an article of clothing toprevent the wind or other sources of moving air from raising the lowerend thereof embarrassingly upward.

It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide aweighted apparatus for an article of clothing that prevents the wind orother source of moving air from raising the lower end thereof which canbe easily and quickly be placed on and removed from the article ofclothing without causing any damage to the clothing.

It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide aweighted apparatus for an article of clothing that prevents the wind orother source of moving air from raising the lower end thereof which doesnot require adhesive to attach to the clothing or require the apparatusto be fixedly secured to or incorporated into the clothing.

It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide aweighted apparatus for an article of clothing that is easily removedfrom the clothing when the user desires to clean the clothing or to movethe apparatus to another article of clothing.

Another important aspect of the present invention is to provide aweighted apparatus for an article of clothing that prevents the wind orother source of moving air from raising the lower end thereof which canbe configured to substantially match or compliment the article ofclothing.

Yet another important aspect of the present invention is to provide aweighted apparatus for an article of clothing that prevents the wind orother source of moving air from raising the lower end thereof whichcomprises a first member that is placed on the outside of the article ofclothing and a second member that is placed on the inside of theclothing, with the second member being magnetically attracted to thefirst member so as to secure the weighted apparatus in place at thelower end of the clothing.

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention areexplained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and thedescription of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forthherein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form,construction, mode of operation and combination of the above presentlydescribed and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the bestmodes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a woman wearing a skirt having three weightedapparatuses positioned at the lower end thereof that are configuredaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front or outwardly facing side ofthe first member of the weighted apparatus of the present inventionpositioned at the lower end of an article of clothing;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front or inwardly facing side of thesecond member of the weighted apparatus of the present inventionpositioned at the lower end of an article of clothing;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a weighted apparatus having the first andsecond members of FIGS. 2 and 3 shown positioned at the lower end of anarticle of clothing;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the weighted apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front or outwardly facing side of afirst member of the weighted apparatus of the present invention showncovered with a cover material and positioned at the lower end of anarticle of clothing;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front or inwardly facing side of analternative embodiment of the second member of the weighted apparatus ofthe present invention positioned at the lower end of an article ofclothing;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a weighted apparatus having the first andsecond members of FIGS. 6 and 7 shown positioned at the lower end of anarticle of clothing; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the front or outwardly facing side of afirst member of the weighted apparatus of the present invention shown asa decorative item and positioned at the lower end of an article ofclothing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given likenumerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of thepresent invention, the preferred embodiments of the present inventionare set forth below. The enclosed text and drawings are merelyillustrative of one or more preferred embodiments and, as such, discloseone or more different ways of configuring the present invention.Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses areillustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to thecomponents and to the configuration of those components described hereinand in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scopeand function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, althoughthe figures and description provided herein show certain shapes andconfigurations for the first and second members of the weightedapparatus and use of the invention by women, those skilled in the artwill understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying thisdisclosure and that the present invention is not so limited.

A weighted apparatus that is configured pursuant to a preferredembodiment of the present invention is shown generally as 10 in thefigures. As set forth in more detail below, the weighted apparatus 10 isutilized with an article of clothing 12 to weigh down the lower end 14thereof to keep the lower end 14 from being easily blown or raisedupward due to the wind or another source of moving air, such as a fan,duct, vent or the like, so as to prevent an embarrassing “exposure”incident for user 16 who is wearing article of clothing 12. Typically, aplurality of weighted apparatuses 10 (such as 10 a, 10 b and 10 c shownin FIG. 1) will be utilized with an article of clothing 12 to preventall sides of the article of clothing 12 from raising upward. As shown inFIGS. 1-4 and 6-9, the weighted apparatus 10 will usually be positionedat the lower end 14 of article of clothing 12, which is near the loweredge or hem 18 of the article of clothing 12. As will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, weighted apparatus 10 can beutilized with a variety of different articles of clothing 12, includingdresses, skirts (such as shown in FIG. 1), blouses and the like, whichare subject to be blown or raised upward by wind, whether blowing orgusting, or other sources of moving air. As set forth in the Backgroundabove, the upward movement of the lower end 14 of a dress, skirt, blouseor other article of clothing 12 due to the wind or other moving air canembarrass the person who is wearing the article of clothing 12. Forprofessional women and those in the public light, such an incident canbe highly embarrassing and, in certain circumstances, end up in atabloid or in a video on YouTube or the like. The weighted apparatus 10of the present invention substantially eliminates the likelihood of thelower end 14 of the article of clothing 12 being raised upward due tonormal wind or other sources of moving air. As set forth in more detailbelow, in a preferred embodiment the weighted apparatus 10 is configuredso as to be easy to place on and remove from the lower end 14 of thearticle of clothing and substantially match, compliment or even enhancethe article of clothing 12.

The weighted apparatus 10 generally comprises a first member 20 and asecond member 22, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8. In the preferredembodiment of weighted apparatus 10, the first member 20 is intended tobe placed on the outer surface 24 of the article of clothing 12, thesecond member 22 is intended to be placed on the inner surface 26 of thearticle of clothing 12 and the second 22 member is configured tomagnetically engage first member 20, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. Asshown in FIG. 1, the inner surface 26 against which the second member 22is placed may be the folded portion 28 of the article of clothing 12that is used to form the hem 18.

The first member 20 comprises a outer plate 30 that is made out of ametal which can be magnetically engaged by the second member 22. In thepreferred configuration, the outer plate 30 has an outwardly disposedsurface 32 that faces generally outward from the outer surface 24 of thearticle of clothing 12 and an inwardly disposed surface 34 that facesinward toward and abuts outer surface 24 of the article of clothing 12during use, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the embodiment of FIGS.2-5, at least the outwardly disposed surface 32 of the outer plate 30 ispainted, coated or otherwise treated so as to be generally incorresponding relation (e.g., substantially match the color thereof)with the outer surface 24 of the article of clothing 12 so the firstmember 20 will be somewhat inconspicuous on the article of clothing 12.For instance, in one embodiment, the outer plate 30 can be painted orpowder coated in black so that the first member 20 will be at leastsomewhat inconspicuous on a black dress, skirt, blouse or other articleof clothing 12. Other colors can be utilized to provide a weightedapparatus 10 that can be used with an article of clothing havinganother, but matching, color. In an alternative embodiment, the user 16can select an outer plate 30 for first member 20 that has an outwardlydisposed surface 32 with a contrasting color such that the outer plate30 intentionally stands out from the article of clothing 12. As setforth below, other mechanisms can be utilized to provide a first member20 that is in corresponding or contrasting relation with the outersurface 24 of the article of clothing 12. In addition, outer plate 30can be at least partially enveloped or substantially encased by plasticor another material. Preferably, inwardly disposed surface 34 of outerplate 30 is substantially smooth so as to not tear or otherwise damagearticle of clothing 12. In one embodiment, inwardly disposed surface 34is generally planar. If desired, inwardly disposed surface 34 can becoated or covered with a smooth material to further reduce thelikelihood of any damage to article of clothing 12, provided however,that any such coating/covering should not substantially interfere withthe ability of second member 22 to magnetically engage the first member20, which could result in the weighted apparatus 10 not being able toremain in place on the article of clothing 12 during use by the user 16.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5, the second member 22 comprises one ormore magnets 36 (two are shown) supported by a base plate 38. Themagnets 36 are selected so as to magnetically engage the inwardlydisposed surface 34 of the outer plate 30 of first member 20. Base plate38 is configured to support the magnets 36 in a manner to facilitate, orat least not interfere with, the magnetic engagement of magnets 36. Themagnets 36 should be chosen so as to sufficiently engage the outer plate30 such that weighted apparatus 10 will be securely held onto the lowerend 14 of the article of clothing 12 while in use by user 16. The secondmember 22 has an outwardly disposed surface 40 that faces generallyoutward from inner surface 26 of the article of clothing 12 and aninwardly disposed surface 42 that faces inward toward and abuts innersurface 26 of the article of clothing 12 during use, as best shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. In a preferred embodiment, the outwardly disposed surface40 of second member 22 will be substantially smooth, planar or otherwiseconfigured so as to reduce the likelihood of any discomfort against thebody of the user 16. In one embodiment, the entire outwardly disposedsurface 40 can be covered with a smooth plastic, cloth or cloth-likematerial. Preferably, inwardly disposed surface 42 of second member 22is also configured to be generally smooth or planar so as to reduce thelikelihood of tearing or otherwise damaging the inner surface 26 of thearticle of clothing 12. Various mechanisms well known in the art can beutilized to achieve the preferred smooth outwardly 40 and inwardly 42disposed surfaces of second member 22.

One or both of the first member 20 and the second member 22 can providethe weight desired to prevent the lower end 14 of the article ofclothing 12 raising embarrassingly upward as a result of blowing wind orother moving air. In one embodiment, the first member 20 and secondmember 22 are approximately the same weight, with the combined weight ofthe two members 20/22 providing the total desired weight, which may be afunction of the fabric for the article of clothing 12. In anotherembodiment, the first member 20 and second member 22 are differentweights to allow the user 16 to mix and match different sets of thesemembers 20/22 as desired or needed to provide the total amount of weightnecessary to prevent the embarrassingly upward movement of the lower end14 of the article of clothing 12 due to wind or other moving air.

In use, the outer plate 30 of first member 20 is positioned at the lowerend 14 of the article of clothing 12 with the inwardly disposed surface34 thereof in abutting relation to the outer surface 24 of the articleof clothing 12 and the second member 22 is positioned at the lower end14 of the article of clothing 12 in alignment with the first member 20with the inwardly disposed surface 42 thereof in abutting relation tothe inner surface 26 of the article of clothing 12 such that the lowerend 14 of the article of clothing 12 is sandwiched between the firstmember 20 and the second member 22, as shown in FIG. 4. The one or moremagnets 36 of the second member 22 will magnetically engage the metalouter plate 30 of the first member 20 to secure the weighted apparatus10 in the desired position at the lower end 14 of the article ofclothing 12. The weight provided by the weighted member 10 will preventthe lower end 14 of the article of clothing 12 from raising upward andexposing the user's undergarments and/or more of the user's body thanwas intended to be seen by others. In a preferred embodiment, the user16 will be supplied with multiple sets of weighted apparatus 10, such asshown in FIG. 1 as 10 a, 10 b and 10 c, so she may disperse the setsaround the lower end 14 of the article clothing 12 in a manner thatprevents any side of the article of clothing from being raised by windor other moving air. In a typical package, the user 16 can be providedwith three to six such sets.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 shows the first member 20 having a covermaterial 44 around or substantially around the outer plate 30 and theuse of a magnet 36 as the second member 22 (i.e., no base plate 38). Ina preferred embodiment, the cover material 44 has a pattern 46 that isin a substantially corresponding relation, such as complimentary ormatching relation, to the outer surface 24 of article of clothing 12 orin contrasting relation thereto. The pattern 46 comprises the color,texture, thread count, material design and/or other features of thecover material 44. In the embodiment shown, the pattern 46 of the covermaterial 44 can be a color and texture that matches that of the lowerend 14 of the article of clothing 12. Alternatively, the pattern 46 ofthe cover material 44 can be flowered, checkered, paisley or virtuallyany other pattern that may be desired to match or compliment at leastthe lower end 14 of the article of clothing 12. In one embodiment, thepattern 46 of the cover material 44 is chosen such that the first member20 is substantially inconspicuous when worn at lower end 14 of thearticle of clothing 12. In another embodiment, the pattern 46 of covermaterial 44 is chosen such that first member 20 at least somewhatcompliments the outer surface 24 of the article of clothing 12. In yetanother embodiment, the pattern 46 of cover material 44 is chosen suchthat the first member 20 is in contrasting relation to the outer surface24 of the lower end 14 of the article of clothing 12. Cover material 44can be wrapped around outer plate 30, attached to the outwardly disposedsurface 32 of outer plate 30 or substantially enveloping outer plate 30.As stated above, the second member 22 in this embodiment is entirely orsubstantially the magnet 36. As with the above embodiment, lower end 14of the article of clothing 12 is sandwiched between the first member 20,having cover material 44 with pattern 46, and the second member 22,comprising just the magnet 36. If desired, user 16 can mix and matchvarious combinations of first member 20 and second member 22 to obtain adesired visual appearance for weighted apparatus 10 on the article ofclothing 12.

Another embodiment of the weighted apparatus 10 of the present inventionis shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the first member 20 comprises adecorative item 48 having a design 50 that can be utilized to complimentor even enhance the look of the article of clothing. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 9, the decorative item 48 is shown with a design 50 in theshape of a star. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in theart, a wide variety of designs 50 can be utilized with the decorativeitem 48. For instance, the decorative item 48 can have a design 50 thatis a circle, oval, square or rectangular shape, have a simulated jewelthereon, be made out of metal that appears to be silver or gold, be inthe form of a bead made out of wood or mineral or a wide variety ofother designs 50. With any such configuration, first member 20 andsecond member 22 must be cooperatively configured for, in the preferredembodiment, the second member 22 to magnetically engage the first member20 so as to hold weighted apparatus 10 on the article of clothing 12during use.

While there are shown and described herein one or more specificembodiments of the invention, it will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but issusceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design andmaterials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subjectto various modifications with regard to any dimensional relationshipsset forth herein, with regard to its assembly, size, shape and use andwith regard to the materials used in its construction. For instance,there are a number of components described herein that can be replacedwith equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives ofthe present invention. In addition, although the description anddrawings are primarily directed to women and/or women's clothing, theweighted apparatus 10 of the present invention is equally applicable anduseful for men and/or men's clothing.

1. A weighted apparatus, comprising: a first member having an inwardlydisposed surface configured to be placed in abutting relation with anouter surface of an article of clothing; and a second member having aninwardly disposed surface configured to be placed in abutting relationwith an inner surface of said article of clothing and one or moremagnets configured to magnetically engage said first member to securesaid weighted apparatus on said article of clothing with a lower end ofsaid article of clothing sandwiched between said first member and saidsecond member, said first member and said second member cooperativelyconfigured so as to prevent wind or other moving air from substantiallyraising said lower end of said article of clothing.
 2. The weightedapparatus of claim 1, wherein said first member comprises an outer platemade out of metal selected so as to be magnetically engaged by said oneor more magnets of said second member.
 3. The weighted apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said outer plate has an outwardly disposed surface incorresponding relation to said outer surface of said article of clothingat said lower end thereof.
 4. The weighted apparatus of claim 2, whereinsaid outer plate has an outwardly disposed surface in contrastingrelation to said outer surface of said article of clothing at said lowerend thereof.
 5. The weighted apparatus of claim 2 further comprising acover material attached to, around or substantially enveloping saidouter plate of said first member.
 6. The weighted apparatus of claim 5,wherein said cover material has a pattern that is in correspondingrelation to said outer surface of said article of clothing at said lowerend thereof.
 7. The weighted apparatus of claim 5, wherein said covermaterial has a pattern that is in contrasting relation to said outersurface of said article of clothing at said lower end thereof.
 8. Theweighted apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first member comprises adecorative item.
 9. The weighted apparatus of claim 8, wherein saiddecorative item has a design that is in corresponding relation to saidouter surface of said article of clothing at said lower end thereof. 10.The weighted apparatus of claim 8, wherein said decorative item has adesign that is in contrasting relation to said outer surface of saidarticle of clothing at said lower end thereof.
 11. The weightedapparatus of claim 1, wherein said second member further comprises abase plate supporting said one or more magnets.
 12. The weightedapparatus of claim 1, wherein said second member is a magnet.
 13. Aweighted apparatus, comprising: a first member having a metal outerplate, said outer plate having an inwardly disposed surface configuredto be placed in abutting relation with an outer surface of an article ofclothing and an outwardly disposed surface facing away from said outersurface of said article of clothing; and a second member having a basemember with an inwardly disposed surface configured to be placed inabutting relation with an inner surface of said article of clothing, anoutwardly disposed surface facing away from said inner surface of saidarticle of clothing and one or more magnets supported by said basemember, said one or more magnets configured to magnetically engage saidouter plate of said first member to secure said weighted apparatus onsaid article of clothing with a lower end of said article of clothingsandwiched between said first member and said second member, said firstmember and said second member cooperatively configured so as to preventwind or other moving air from substantially raising said lower end ofsaid article of clothing.
 14. The weighted apparatus of claim 13,wherein said outwardly disposed surface of said outer plate is incorresponding relation to said outer surface of said article of clothingat said lower end thereof.
 15. The weighted apparatus of claim 13,wherein said outwardly disposed surface of said outer plate is incontrasting relation to said outer surface of said article of clothingat said lower end thereof.
 16. The weighted apparatus of claim 13further comprising a cover material attached to, around or substantiallyenveloping said outer plate of said first member, said cover materialhaving a pattern that is in one of corresponding relation andcontrasting relation to said outer surface of said article of clothingat said lower end thereof.
 17. The weighted apparatus of claim 13,wherein said first member comprises a decorative item having a design.18. A weighted apparatus for use in combination with a lower end of anarticle of clothing, said weighted apparatus comprising: a first memberhaving an inwardly disposed surface configured to be placed in abuttingrelation with an outer surface of said article of clothing; and a secondmember having an inwardly disposed surface configured to be placed inabutting relation with an inner surface of said article of clothing andone or more magnets configured to magnetically engage said first memberto secure said weighted apparatus on said article of clothing with saidlower end of said article of clothing sandwiched between said firstmember and said second member, said first member and said second membercooperatively configured so as to prevent wind or other moving air fromsubstantially raising said lower end of said article of clothing. 19.The weighted apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first member comprisesan outer plate made out of metal selected so as to be magneticallyengaged by said one or more magnets of said second member.
 20. Theweighted apparatus of claim 18, wherein said second member furthercomprises a base plate supporting said one or more magnets.